Kent State University
Akron
Flashes Fall at Akron
2/9/2019 1:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio- In the first installment of the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel showdown, the Flashes fell 72-53 to rival Akron on Friday night at the James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Flashes dropped to 17-6 overall and 6-4 in league play.
Junior Antonio Williams paced the Flashes' offense with 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while senior Jaylin Walker rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10 points, four rebounds, and a steal. Junior Philip Whittington tied his career high with four blocks.
Kent State found its biggest difficulties on the defensive end where it allowed the Zips to shoot 48.1 percent (26-of-54) from the floor and connect on 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from deep. Loren Cristian Jackson scored 18 points, while Tyler Cheese added 15 points.
The game started with the Flashes taking an early 4-0 lead with the baskets from Whittington and CJ Williamson. The teams traded runs during the majority of the opening half. Akron used a 10-2 run that put the Zips ahead 17-12 at the 11:04 mark. Kent State answered back with a 9-0 run of its own after forcing three straight turnovers by Akron that gave Kent State a 21-17 advantage. The Flashes took a 30-28 lead with 38 seconds left to play in the opening half before Akron hit a buzzer-beating trey that sent the Zips into the intermission with a 31-30 advantage.
After the break, the Flashes regained the lead and went ahead 37-33 at the 17:38 mark after senior Jalen Avery drained a three. The Zips offensive scoring continued as they used a 13-0 run over a 5:41 span midway through the half to go ahead, 50-39 with 9:05 to play.
The Flashes attempted to close the Zips' lead by ending the final minutes of play with a 6-0 run, but was not enough as Akron came away with the 72-53 win.
As a team, the Flashes finished the game shooting 32.8 percent (20-of-61) from the field, while being limited to only four three pointers in the game. Kent State outrebounded Akron on the evening, 40-33, including 15 offensive rebounds, converting those rebounds into 14 second-chance points.
Kent State returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 14 traveling to Kalamazoo, Mich., for a rematch against Western Michigan. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. and will be on ESPN+.
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